Wednesday, March 2, 2016

On this date in 1896, Ethiopia (led by King Menelik and Queen Taitu) defeated the Italian colonial army in the Battle of Adwa. This victory signaled the decline of European colonialism in Black Africa.

Today, here in Addis Ababa, we are celebrating the 120th anniversary of Adwa (The Battle of Adwa) - in commemorating our forefathers who definitively defeated Italian army in the Colonial Era and set us free from slavery. Saved our cultures, languages and heritages.

In celebrating Adwa I have conducted a one minute interview with few African activists, young business peoples and vibrant volunteers

around Africa about Adwa. In light of the vibrant participation of my target groups in African

integration and similar stuff:

the result was quite shocking for me!

Until this moment, I have been waiting for the African Union news/press release in commemorating the The Victory of Adwa which gave light to the road of independence movement and upraise of black people against colonial forces. I'm ashamed.

Also our Foreign Ministry shall work on this in reaching African young generation. It would as easy as to invite AU official on the event and to give a press release; as these officials audience are international - the news could get to every corner of Africa in minutes.

Adwa is black peoples victory and its celebration shall not be confined to Ethiopians only!!

" The victory had further significance for being the first crushing defeat
of a European power by African forces during the colonial era."

Countries represented are Madagascar, Nigeria, Kenya, Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Cot d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Benin, Togo and The Gambia. Interviewees from 15 countries were asked the following four questions with some additional questions depending on their response.

1. Is there a history course in your country schools?

2. Does the course touch African History?

3. Do you know about The Battle of Adwa?

4. Do you know any independent African nation during colonialism?
----------------------------------------------//-------------//-------------------------------------------------------1. Madagascar 1. History Course: not for primary but for secondary schools;
2. Course: talks about Colonization in Africa
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: I don't know, we are taught only about the colonized nations.

2. Nigeria

1. History Course:at university and for some at high school level
2. Course:-----
3. Adwa: didn't take history at high school but at Cambridge A'levels and it was more European and international
4. Independent Nation: I don't know, but I know Ethiopians kicked out Italian in 1941.

1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: Yes, in 4th secondary school, it is only African history
3. Adwa: Yes, it was between the Ethiopian Empire and the Italy
4. Independent Nation: The Ethiopia, the only African country which was not colonized;
5. How did you learn that/source: schools

5. Cameroon 1. History Course: Yes (from primary to university)
2. Course:Yes, touches African History
3. Adwa: Yes 1938, it was Italian and one Ethiopian king I forgot the name
4. How did you learn that/source: secondary schools
5. Independent Nation: Yes, Liberia
6. First African army defeated European: Yes, Battle of Adwa

6. Ghana1. History Course: Yes, from basic school
2. Course:Yes, touches African History
3. Adwa: No but I know empires like Axum and Kush
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia and Liberia
5. How did you learn that/source: Personal reading when l started covering Ethiopia as one of the project countries for the ILO

7. Zimbabwe A.1. History Course: Yes, in high schools for 2 years.
2. Course: It touches African and European history
3. Adwa: I don't know/remember
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: Combination of schools and personal reading
----------------------------------------------- B. 1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: doesn't touch African but European- in 1985
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: during my personal visit to Ethiopia

8. South Africa

1. History Course:Yes
2. Course: It is about world war and colonization, not the road to independence
3. Adwa: Yes,
4.. How did you learn that/source: Personal reading, from Raymond Jonas book
5. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia

Comment: South African school don't even teach the history of the liberation movements such as the African national congress (ANC) and the pan African congress (PAC).

9. Burkina Faso

1. History Course:Yes, at primary & secondary schools
2. Course:Yes, touch African history
3. Adwa: No I don't know
4. Independent Nation: Yes, Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: From schools and Ras Teferian Music

10. Guinea 1. History Course:Yes
2. Course:Yes,
3. Adwa: I don't know
4. Independent Nation: No
5. Which country get its independence first: Liberia, July 26, 1847. School course touches colonialism, independence movement...
6. Does it touch about Ethiopia: Yes
7. What was it about: Muluku suleyman

13. Tanzania1. History Course:Yes, from primary, secondary and advanced
2. Course:Yes, even colonization and globalization
3. Adwa: No, I'm not sure. Is it from Ethiopia?
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia wasn't colonized, from Ethiopia we learn Menelik's and the fight of Italy... we learn even the pre-colonial trade routes

14.Togo1. History Course:Yes, from the 3rd class of primary school to thé last on secondary school
2. Course: Yes, it touces
3. Adwa: Yes !about Menelik II and Italian army
4. Independent Nation: Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source:Schools

15. The Gambia1. History Course:Yes but in Senior Secondary school and The University
2. Course:Yes
3. Adwa: No
4. Independent Nation:Ethiopia
5. How did you learn that/source: personal reading
6. Have you learn that in schools: No

My African Friends:

here are some articles where you can find a lot more about Adwa and King Menelik

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Every year, the Knight Science Journalism Program (KSJ) offers ten
science journalists a 9-month fellowship — geared to the September-to-May
academic year — designed to enable them to explore science, technology, and the
craft of journalism in depth, concentrate on a specialty in science, and to
learn at some of the top research universities in the world.

Each Fellow largely designs his or her own course of study, with
consultation offered by the director and the KSJ staff. Fellows are required to
audit at least one science course per semester but are otherwise encouraged to
explore the wide range of offerings at MIT, Harvard, or other institutions in
Cambridge and Greater Boston. The program is designed to offer a rich and
varied mix of coursework, attendance at departmental colloquia, research trips,
lab visits, interviews, reading, and writing.

Course: This is a 9 months fellowships programme offered to journalists.

Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply
for this fellowship programme.

The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT, founded more than thirty
years ago, seeks to nurture and enhance the ability of journalists from around
the world to accurately document and illuminate the often complex intersection
of Science, Technology and Human Culture. Applicants must be reporters,
writers, editors, producers, illustrators, filmmakers, or photojournalists.
They may work for newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and digital media.

Award: Fellows receive a stipend of $70,000 as well as some additional
benefits, including basic health insurance. As such, Fellows must refrain from
paid professional work during the course of the 9-month program, unless the
program director grants prior permission.

Admission Requirement: Entrance Requirements: Applicants must be
full-time journalists, whether on staff or freelance. Part-time writers or
producers are not eligible.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Deadline: until the position is filled (screening of applications will start on 5th February 2016)

Duration: 5 months, starting between March and April 2016

Location: Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) or remotely from the student’s university (negotiable)

The EVESPS project includes a significant hydrological modeling
component, expected to be conducted using existing parameterizations for
the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for Tana River basin in Kenya
and the White Volta basin in Burkina Faso. ILRI is offering a research
fellowship with the EVESPS project to support and contribute to the
hydrological modeling efforts, with primary emphasis on the site in
Burkina Faso.

The position: The fellow (MSc student or similar) is
expected to contribute directly to the project, and to produce their
MSc thesis based on information generated through the project.
Specifically, the student selected will be responsible for several
important steps in refining existing hydrological model configurations
for the study basins. These activities will contribute directly to
project analyses and indirectly to land planning processes at local and
watershed scales.

​Requirements:

Be a current student at MSc (or equivalent degree level) in
hydrology, ecology, Earth sciences, natural resources or similar field;

Able to use this assignment to complete an academic requirement of the MSc degree;

Having completed course work requirements of an MSc programme in one of the above fields before starting work at ILRI is a plus;

Demonstrated knowledge of SWAT or other hydrological models, or
alternatively, under advisement of a professor or researcher experienced
with SWAT or hydrological modeling;

A team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills;

Ability to interact effectively in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment;

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.​

Desirable qualifications

Previous experience or knowledge on pastoral and agro-pastoral farming and herding in West and East Africa.

The successful candidate will be supervised jointly by an ILRI
scientist and the student’s university supervisor, and will have the
opportunity to interact with scientists at other universities, CGIAR
centres, and NGOs, to further develop her/his research programme.

ILRI will provide the fellow an allowance of US$1500/month to support
personal expenses as well as an end-of-fellowship honorarium of
US$2,000 upon timely completion of the fellowship tasks. Additionally,
ILRI will meet the costs of research related travel, as well as
insurance.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should submit the following documents;

A CV including three references with contact information.

A cover letter describing the candidate’s interests in and
qualifications for carrying out the research. The position title and reference
number: HM/01/2016 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of
the cover letter.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Deadline 1 Feb '16

Compete for the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award and qualify for participation as a «Leader of Tomorrow» in the world’s premier opportunity for intergenerational debates: The St. Gallen Symposium.

Join the debate with 600 top global leaders and decision makers

Share your thoughts, ideas and visions with the global elite

Expenses for travel, board and lodging covered, travel service provided

Meet 200 of the world’s brightest young minds

Small and intimate gatherings with world leaders, exclusively for the Leaders of Tomorrow

CHF 20,000.– prize money shared by the three winners

Broad media coverage

Become member of a truly unique and strong global community

Qualify with an excellent essay.

Your essay must answer the following question: What are alternatives to economic growth? Leaders of Tomorrow have expressed scepticism towards economic growth as it stands today. We challenge you to develop your alternative guidelines to the concept of growth. Present your own idea to
convince the jury. We expect a professional, creative and
thought-provoking essay. Be bold and unconventional! The following
criteria must be met:

Check your eligibility and prepare documents.

To be eligible, you must fulfil all of the following criteria:

Enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate program (master level or higher) in any field of study at a regular university

Born in 1986 or later

Make sure you can provide the following documents:

Copy of passport or other identification (in English for non-Roman languages)

Confirmation of matriculation/enrolment from your university which
proves your enrolment in a graduate/postgraduate level programme as of
1 February 2016 (download sample document here)

Your contribution file with no indication of your name in the file name, the file metadata or the file itself

Monday, October 20, 2014

Women account for about half of Africa’s talent base. As a group, they have been marginalised and their economic, social, political and environmental contributions go in large part unrealised, underutilized and undervalued. Poverty and HIV/AIDS still carry a female face. Women’ education is often sacrifice because of various socio-economic and cultural reasons and women are among the most affected by conflicts and violence. Empowering their participation in the community and the workforce greatly increases economic growth, reduces poverty, enhances societal well-being, and helps ensure sustainable development in all countries.

It is against this background that the African Union Heads of State and Government have dedicated next year, 2015, as the “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”. As a prelude to these celebrations, the African Union Commission is celebrating this year’s Africa Youth Day under the theme: Delivering on the Potential of Africa’s Young women.

Celebrated on the 1st of November, TheAfrican Youth Day aims to promote an increased recognition of youth as key agents for social change and economic growth in all aspects of African society. The event also aims to contribute and channel the youth motivation, energy and idealism to reinforce the efforts towards the achievement of a sustainable development in the Africa.

To open up this discourse, the African Union Commission invites young Africans to submit an essay of not more than 1500 words, which identifies and makes the case for policy measures to support the empowerment of young women. Entries are encouraged to be evidence-based, drawing on experiences of the writer or other individuals or institutions.

Finalists will be invited to celebrate the African Youth Day at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and engage with Ministers of Youth from across the continent. Winning essay shall be published and presented at various high level policy meetings in 2015.

Competition Rules:

1. The call is open from the 1st of October 2014 to the20th of October 2014

2. The competition is open to young people (18-35) from African Union Member States.

3. Only one essay is allowed per entrant.

4. Essays should be submitted in any of the AU languages i.e. English, French, Portuguese and Arabic

5. Photographs and other illustrations that enhance the article are welcome, although these must be original to the author and be copyright free.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Are you running a public access center (a.k.a. telecentre) in your community? Well, here’s a great opportunity for you! Encourage the people in your community to sign up for our FREE Google Basics certification course within the month of June. By doing so, you are not only able to help them develop new skills and increase their employability by obtaining a Google certificate, but you also get a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 in our Google Basics Telecentre Challenge! Now, isn’t that a win-win move?

The competition will run until June 30, 11:59 PM UTC. At the end of the contest period, the Telecentre Manager with the highest number of community members enrolled in the course will be proclaimed the winner. Two winners will be selected, one each from the English- and Spanish-speaking communities (the two languages in which the course is currently available), and the prize will be awarded to the Telecentre Manager himself/herself.

How to Participate

Participation is simple! Just encourage as many people from your community as possible to enroll in the course by registering in the TCA platform within the specified time frame. Upon registration, users will have to fill up a corresponding form where they will have to indicate the Telecentre Name and the Telecentre Manager’s Name, among others. More detailed information about the contest is given in the guidelines.

For queries or clarifications pertaining to the contest, please don’t hesitate to email the TCA team.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

The Green
Innovations Bootcamp will be held in Addis Ababa on July 8th-9th 2014. The
goal of this two-day bootcamp is to promote green innovations &
entrepreneurship, and build bridges between Finnish and Ethiopian startup
communities & companies.

WHAT IT IS?

What
environmental issue would you like to solve? How do you do it? Could your
solution be developed into a business?

Most
sustainable solutions come from the people who understand their surrounding
problems and needs. What simple solution would make your surroundings
better for living?

Apply with
your idea, meet up with other innovative minds, get feedback from
professionals, build further business ideas and finally pitch your solution in
public.

WHO CAN
APPLY?

Social
entrepreneurs, Students, techies, or whoever with an unchained mind and a
vision to make the world a greener places to live.

PRIZE

The winners
(2 individuals) will travel to Helsinki, Finland to participate in one of the
biggest European startup events, SLUSH on November 18th & 19th 2014 with all travel expenses covered by
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Other prizes
are also available, including free membership and coaching at iceaddis &
CIC.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

The United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC)
invites youth around the globe to participate in Youth Event
to take place on 28 August 2014.

Topic: The Role of Youth in Promoting
‘Unity in Diversity’ through Education, Media, and Migration

Total 100 youth (60 international and 40 Indonesian) from
diverse cultural and religious background will be selected to participate in
the youth event. The participants will join political and corporate
leaders, civil society activists, representatives’ of faith
communities, journalists and others in the 6th Forum of the United Nations
Alliance of Civilization to be held on 29 and 30 August 2014 in Bali, Indonesia. Theme of the forum is Unity in Diversity: Celebrating Diversity for Common and Shared
Values.The
UNAOC covers airfare (international or domestic as per the participant),
accommodation, food and local transportation (shuttle bus) of the youth participants.

Eligibility Criteria

§Applicants must be in between 18 and 30 years of age at the
time of youth event.

§Applicants must be the members of non-government and
non-for-profit youth-led organizations working for the benefit of youth, or
have experience in youth activities.

Outline proposals are
invited for a new funding opportunity as part of theFuture Climate
for Africa (FCFA)research
programme funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and
NERC. FCFA is a £20m international, interdisciplinary programme to advance
scientific understanding and prediction of African climate variability and
change to inform medium-term adaptation decisions (5-40 years), and develop the
knowledge, data and tools to better integrate this science into decision making
today.

This call is for Regional Consortium Grant outline proposals,
which will provide an opportunity for the world's best researchers to undertake
large-scale, complex and interdisciplinary natural and social science research
addressing the three pillars of FCFA:

World-leading
scientific research to advance understanding and prediction of African
climate variability and change over medium-term timescales (5 to 40 years)

Interdisciplinary
research to support better integration of science into decision making

Pilot
studies, co-produced with users, to demonstrate the use of climate
information and tools in real decisions.

Proposals are invited
for funding of up to £4m full economic cost (FEC) per consortium. This call has
a total available budget of £12m. Proposals will be funded for a maximum
duration of four years with an expected start date of April 2015.

Proposals are expected to cover all three research pillars of
FCFA for a defined region of sub-Saharan Africa and are required to make the
case for the geographic region to be addressed in terms of the opportunity to
deliver world-leading science and the potential to make clear improvements in
the quality and availability of climate information, adding value to existing
science and initiatives.

This is a global open call that welcomes international
applicants, particularly those based in sub-Saharan Africa. Please see the
Announcement of Opportunity for full eligibility criteria.

Submission
of an outline proposal is mandatoryin order to participate in the funding
round at the Full Proposal stage.

All outline proposals will be assessed by an assessment panel
and successful applicants will be notified by the end of August 2014 that they
are able to proceed to the full proposal stage.

Applicants who are successful at the outline proposal stage, and
thus invited to submit a full proposal, will be invited to a virtual workshop.
At least one representative from each successful outline proposal will be
expected to attend.

The closing date for outline proposals is 16:00 UK local time
(GMT+1) on Tuesday15 July
2014. Outline proposal forms must be submitted as an email to
the FCFA Secretariat atfcfa@nerc.ac.uk